PSC Wrestling takes third at New Englands

Feb 23, 1998

PLYMOUTH, N.H. - With five wrestlers placing in
the top four in their weight classes, the Plymouth State College
wrestling team brought home third place from the New England
College Conference Wrestling Association Championships last weekend
in Bristol, R.I.

Plymouth State had six individual placers overall, including one
individual champion and three others who finished runner-up. PSC
scored 97.5 points, behind two-time champion Springfield College
(186) and second-place Norwich (157.5) and comfortably ahead of
fourth-place Western New England College (73.5). The tournament,
which ended Sunday night, was held at Roger Williams University.

The Panthers were strongest in the heavier weight classes, with
five of the place-winners coming at 158 pounds and heavier. In
fact, in the bottom five weight classes, PSC placed first, second,
fourth, second and second, but got hurt with only one sixth place
finish in the lighter weight classes.

"Everyone wrestled very well," said PSC third-year head coach
Dave Carlson. "We wrestled to our potential, and
everyone we had there won at least one match and made a
contribution to the team score. That's never happened since I've
been here. I'm very proud of that. We also had the highest number
of finalists we'ver ever had (four). Even the year we won it ('96),
we only had three finalists."

Borkowski continued his sensational season, remaining undefeated
for the year by capturing the New England 158 pound title for the
second straight season. He went 5-0 in the tournament, improving to
a remarkable 30-0 this season and 95-20 in his career, and earned
an automatic bid to the NCAA Championships. Borkowski, who is
ranked fourth nationally at 158 pounds, defeated Norwich's Dave
Hamel in the New England title match, 10-5. Hamel is ranked sixth
nationally.

"Brian wrestled extremely well," said Carlson. "He dominated all
five of his opponents, just as he has all year. I believe, with a
little luck, he'll be in contention for a national title."

Joining Borkowski at the NCAA meet will be Dave Lucia, who
received a wild-card selection and will make his second appearance
in three years at the national meet. The New England 275-pound
title came down to Lucia, ranked seventh nationally, and
Springfield's Joe Gabourey, who's ranked fourth nationally. Lucia
defeated Gabourey 7-1 in a semi-final match, but Gabourey came back
through the wrestle-backs and met Lucia in the finals, where
Gabourey won, 3-1 in overtime, to earn the title. Lucia finished
the tournament with a 4-1 record, and takes a 24-4 record to the
NCAAs.

"This is the best I've seen him (Lucia) wrestle all season,"
said Carlson. "I believe he's in the best shape he's ever been in,
and he's in better condition than anyone he'll see at the NCAAs.
He's a strong All-America candidate."

Carr fell just shy of winning the 190 pound weight class,
finishing runner-up for the second straight year. He advanced to
the finals, but was forced to default to Mike Gaydos of Springfield
with a broken foot. Carr finishes his season with a 17-11 overall
record.

Baker also advanced to the finals before his chance at a
167-pound New England title ended. He was defeated in the finals by
Springfield's John Roden, and finished the tournament with a 3-2
record. Baker had top finishes at two other tournaments this
season, and finishes with a 19-11 overall record.

Pamulak placed fourth in perhaps the toughest weight class in
the tournament, 177 pounds. The champion, Jason Venne of Norwich,
defeated Lance Baden of WPI, who was ranked No. 1 in the nation.
Pamulak went 4-2 in the tournament, completing an outstanding
season at 28-12.

Oljey became a New England place-finisher for the second
straight season, placing sixth after finishing third a year ago. He
drew a first-round bye and won his first match, but dropped the
next two and settled for sixth. After missing the first semester
with an injury, Oljey finishes the season at 12-7 and improves his
career mark to 52-32.

PSC's other competitors at the New Englands included sophomore
Nick Volpe (Holmdel, NJ), who went 2-2 at 126
pounds and wrapped up his season with a 12-19 record; sophomore
Mike DeRoehn (Warren, NH) at 134 pounds, who
finished the tournament 2-2 and completed his season at 13-19; and
sophomore Shawn Kain (Lakeville, MA), who won one
of three matches and finishes the season 13-16.

The Panthers completed the dual matches with a 10-8-1 record.
Borkowski and Lucia will compete at the NCAA Division III
Championships on Mar. 6-7, at Cedar Falls, Iowa.